A Trillvo Rant- Why Do We Compare Artists To Other Artists?

Written By: Dustin Scoggin

The Problem

Being an artist is supposed to be about finding yourself, your sound, and then being able to express it to other people through the form of art. The way you dress, the types of songs you sing or create, and the way you dance are all forms of self expression. However, in today’s society we have moved away from the term “self”. Now, with the stigma or status quo that we put on artists in this generation, people feel the need to always familiarize one type of art with someone or something else of similarity.

This concept is unfair for artists who are truly trying to invite you into their own world. For example, an artist spending countless hours perfecting the sound of a new album that really expresses what is going on in their life. Then when the album is released, we label it in the same category as another artist because it is same genre, or because the melody of a song is similar. By doing this you have already ripped away the individuality of that artist’s work.

Examples

Getter

Bassnectar

Excison

In our EDM community, this happens very often. For example, Bassnectar, Excision, Getter, all very different artists but all constantly being compared due to the fact they are all heavy bass DJs. Instead of comparing these artists, why can’t we just listen and enjoy each of the their own individual sounds. Rather than constantly trying to figure out who they sound like, we should appreciate their own music. Let’s stop stripping away their individuality, and encourage them to keep exploring themselves and their art.

Women in Our Industry

Alison Wonderland

Whipped Cream

Tigerlily

Tokimonsta

Don’t even get us started on the women in our industry, they have it the worst. So many times I have heard things like “Rezz is better than Alison Wonderland” or “Tigerlily doesn’t have anything on Alison Wonderland”, and so on. What makes it so distasteful for women is they aren’t even being compared based on sound or abilities. They are simply being compared just because they are women in the same industry!

We think now is the time we should all open our minds to individuality, and learn to appreciate the sounds that artists are bringing to us. If a certain sound reminds you of another artist, that doesn’t mean they are the same artist. Enjoy the music being made for you, learn to appreciate it in its own way, and support the artist who worked so hard to bring it to you.